KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Universal Service Fund (USF) closed out August on a high note, making meaningful strides in bridging the digital divide and celebrating Jamaican culture through a series of impactful events.

On August 20, the USF brought digital access closer to home with a Community Wi-Fi Launch Photo Opportunity in St. James Southern, where it also awarded two laptops to high-achieving students, furthering its commitment to connecting underserved communities across the island.

In a show of support for education and youth empowerment, 25 tablets and two laptops were donated to Primary Exit Profile (PEP) students in St. Catherine during a heartfelt PEP Awards Ceremony held at WaterMount Open Bible Church on August 27. The initiative ensures that students have the tools they need to thrive in an increasingly digital academic landscape.

The month concluded with a cultural flourish at the KOIC Alumni Jamaica 3rd Annual Cultural Expo, hosted at the University of Technology (UTech) on August 30. USF proudly participated in the event, which showcased the vibrant spirit of Jamaican heritage and community. Three tablets and two laptops were awarded in honour of the Expo.

These events reflect USF’s ongoing mission to empower Jamaicans through technology, education, and cultural celebration.

The Universal Service Fund (USF) proudly joined the celebrations with a dynamic and engaging presence at the JCDC Independence Village at the National Stadium.

The booth, which welcomed hundreds of visitors daily, was a standout attraction, blending national pride with interactive digital experiences.

From August 2 to 5, USF’s branded booth featured a range of activities designed to both entertain and educate. A crowd favorite was the Polaroid photo booth, which provided guests with custom “Jamaica 63” photo keepsakes via a branded Magic Mirror station. Attendees of all ages eagerly participated in daily games such as “Spin the Wheel” and tech trivia challenges, with instant prizes and a Vortex Tablet awarded each day as the grand prize.

In addition to this, the USF sponsored the free Wi-Fi that was available at the National Stadium for the duration of the Independence Celebration, along with the Kids Village Virtual Reality execution.

In total, USF’s financial and in-kind investment for this initiative amounted to approximately J$11.3 million, underscoring the agency’s commitment to national development through technology and public engagement.

USF CEO, Mr. Charlton McFarlane, said, “By participating in high-visibility national events such as this, USF continues to bridge the digital divide in creative and impactful ways, connecting with Jamaicans where they are and empowering them through access, awareness, and innovation.”

KINGSTON, JAMAICA — From the rural hillsides of St. Andrew to the vibrant communities of Westmoreland, the Universal Service Fund (USF) wrapped up July 2025 with a high-impact rollout of Community Wi-Fi launches across four parishes.

Between July 22 and 31, the USF officially launched multiple Wi-Fi sites, delivering free, high-speed internet access to thousands of Jamaicans in underserved areas. The activations reinforce the Government’s commitment to digital inclusion, as the USF continues to support a connected and empowered nation.

Residents in Airy Castle and Trinityville, St. Thomas, Gibbs Hill, St. Mary, Beeston Spring and Harmony Town in Westmoreland, Mannings Hill, Drewsland, Mall Road and Cockburn Gardens in St. Andrew; now have access to reliable Community Wi-Fi.

Local resident Ms. Leoney shared how the service is already making a difference.

“The Wi-Fi is a good thing… Because it nuh just benefit me because you have people standing by the roadside, people coming to the park, sitting in the park [and] using the Wi-Fi for studies and all those things, so you know, me have a good experience with it,” she explained.

While Mr. Astil Gage, the President of the Community Development Committee (CDC) in Westmoreland, praised the initiative.

“It’s [the internet] is very important and we are very happy because sometimes persons won’t have the money to buy the credit and buy the data, so when you can have the free Wi-Fi and it’s in an essential spot where most of the rural people are living, and Beeston Spring is really happy that we can have the free Wi-Fi,” he said.

One of the defining moments during the period was the Community Wi-Fi launch in Drewsland, St. Andrew West Central, held at Dupont Primary and Infant School on July 31. The event was attended by the Most Hon. Prime Minister Andrew Holness and USF CEO Mr. Charlton McFarlane, and also included photo opportunities at newly activated Wi-Fi sites in Mall Road and Cockburn Gardens.

In his keynote address, the Prime Minister reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to universal connectivity by saying, “We are building out a broadband network right across Jamaica…The Government’s objective is to achieve full internet coverage and access islandwide.” 

The Prime Minister also clarified that while some residents may experience limited connectivity from inside their homes due to their distance from the access points, this does not indicate a service outage. The Wi-Fi remains active and accessible within the designated coverage area.

While Mr. McFarlane stated, “The Universal Service Fund was designed to be a connector, not just to the internet, but to opportunity. And we can’t do that effectively from behind a desk in Kingston. The truth is, no one understands the needs of a community better than the people who live in it.”

With more sites coming online each month, the USF is encouraging residents to help protect this national investment. If you experience a loss of service, please report the outage immediately by calling 876 926-1727 or DM us on social media @USFJamaica or @UnversalServiceFund. Doing so helps us keep communities connected.

The agency is issuing a strong appeal to the public not to damage or tamper with the infrastructure, as this is causing unexpected downtime across several sites. Vandalism and theft of equipment delay progress, disrupt essential access, and ultimately harm the very communities these services are meant to empower.